David THORSNESS

THORSNESS, COVERDALE, WILEY, WEBB

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/14/2013 at 11:30:25

March 16, 1926 --- August 2, 2000

David Thorsness, 74, of Anchorage died Aug. 2, 2000, at Providence Alaska Medical Center after a courageous battle with heart disease. A funeral will be at 4 p.m. Monday at Central Lutheran Church. A reception will follow at 2315 Loussac Drive.

Mr. Thorsness was born March 16, 1926, in Darwin, Minn., to Martha and Julius Thorsness. He served with the U.S. Army in Adak in the Aleutians from 1944 to 1946. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in political science, he attended the University of Washington Law School, where he met Priscilla Coverdale. They married in 1954. After graduation, they moved to Alaska. Mr. Thorsness went to work with the law office of David Renfrew, which became Hughes Thorsness and grew to become the largest law firm in Alaska.

Mr. Thorsness was an active member of Central Lutheran Church for 45 years. He also served as Alaska Bar Association President in 1964, on the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the Boys Club board of directors, Providence Hospital Foundation Board and American College of Trial Lawyers.

In addition to his 42-year law practice, he enjoyed flying Alaska's back country, moose hunting with his brother Lowell, duck hunting with his son John and fishing with his son Dan. A particular source of pride was his daughter Kristen's rowing career, which culminated with her winning Alaska's first gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.

His family wrote: "David took great pride in 'the Homer house,' a beautiful log home overlooking Kachemak Bay, that he and Priscilla built in 1981.

"The most cherished part of David's life was his 46-year marriage to Priscilla. His unconditional love and dedication to her were an inspiration to his children and all those who knew him.

"Dad was a pillar of strength, hope and generosity to all who knew him. Integrity and honor were his hallmarks and his legacy."

Mr. Thorsness is survived by his wife, Priscilla Thorsness; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Gerianne Thorsness, and Dan and Marilyn Thorsness; daughter and her life partner, Kristen Thorsness and Lynne Wiley; grandchildren, Erika Thorsness, Stefanie Thorsness, Sophia Thorsness and Ann Katherine Thorsness; his brother Ray Thorsness; and sister, Trudy Webb. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lowell Thorsness.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Anchorage 99503, or to the World War II Memorial, P.O. Box 96766, Washington, DC 20090-6766. Arrangements were by Evergreen Memorial Chapel.

Anchorage Daily News - Alaska
August 4, 2000

[grew up in Vincent, Iowa; Eagle Grove High School]